UK document is crucial but two-thirds either don't have it or it's out of date

UK document is crucial but two-thirds either don't have it or it's out of date Solicitors are not charging their usual fees to get it sorted for a limited time Two-thirds of adults across the UK are at risk of leaving loved ones without clear guidance about their final wishes, new research has shown. A fresh poll commissioned by the Will-writing charity campaign Will Aid has discovered that 67% of adults either lack a Will or acknowledge the one they possess is outdated. The study also revealed that 57% have never created one, while 10% confessed theirs was no longer current. Despite the potential ramifications for those they leave behind, 44% of UK adults say they are unlikely to draft a Will within the coming year. Will Aid is cautioning that misunderstandings about who requires a Will could be leaving millions of families needlessly vulnerable. Peter de Vena Franks, campaign director at Will Aid, said: "The fact that 71% of people in the East of England either don't have a Will or have one which is no longer up to date should concern all of us. A Will is about far more than the value of the money or property you leave behind. It is about making your wishes clear, protecting the people you care about and making incredibly difficult decisions easier for those you love at what will already be a distressing time. "You may have children whose future you want to protect, possessions with enormous sentimental value, pets you want cared for or very clear wishes about who should – and should not – benefit from your estate. Without a valid Will, you lose the opportunity to make many of those decisions yourself." Nationwide research uncovered that one of the greatest obstacles to making a Will is the belief that people simply don't have enough assets to leave behind. Of the 1,151 UK respondents surveyed who had yet to make a Will, the most frequently cited reason - mentioned by 29% - was the conviction that they had nothing worth leaving. Cost and simply not finding the time were both cited by 19%, while 18% felt uncomfortable contemplating death and 14% were deterred by the perceived complexity of the process. Peter added: "Perhaps one of the most striking findings from our national research is that almost three in ten people without a Will believe they simply don't have anything worth leaving. But Wills are not just for people with substantial wealth or property. "They are about giving you a say in what happens after you die and making your wishes clear for the people you leave behind. We want people in the region to recognise that making a Will is relevant to them, whatever their circumstances." The nationwide research also shed light on the life events that ultimately prompt people to take action. Amongst 857 respondents who had drafted a Will, 23% said they wanted the peace of mind of knowing their children would be cared for should they die, while an equal proportion said having children had motivated them to make one. More than one in five (22%) revealed that hearing accounts of individuals who had passed away without a Will prompted them to take action, while 18% created theirs after purchasing a property. Will Aid is also encouraging those who already possess a Will not to presume the task is complete. With 11% of respondents in the area acknowledging their Will is outdated, the campaign is reminding individuals that a document drafted years ago may no longer represent their family, relationships, assets or wishes, especially following major life changes. Peter said: "Making a Will is not something you should do once and then forget about for the rest of your life. Families change. Relationships change. People marry, separate and divorce. Children and grandchildren are born. People buy homes, build businesses and acquire assets. Sadly, people we intended to include in our Wills can also die before us. "If you know your Will no longer reflects what you want to happen, it is important not to keep putting off reviewing it. There may never feel like a perfect time to think about death, but making or updating a Will is ultimately about looking after the people you leave behind." These findings have been published as Will Aid 2026 opens for bookings, offering people throughout the UK the chance to have a basic Will professionally drafted by a participating solicitor while supporting worthy causes. Each November, participating solicitors donate their time and waive their standard fee for preparing a basic Will. Instead, clients are encouraged to make a voluntary contribution to Will Aid, with funds raised supporting the campaign's charitable partners. Since its inception, the initiative has united the legal profession with some of Britain's most recognised charities, helping individuals arrange their affairs while raising millions of pounds for essential charitable causes. Lauren Smith, partner at Taylor Bracewell Solicitors, explained: "One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that Wills are only for people who are wealthy or own significant assets. That simply isn't the case. A professionally drafted Will gives you control over what happens after your death and allows you to make your wishes clear rather than leaving important decisions to chance. "It is particularly important for parents and for people whose family circumstances may not be straightforward. We would also encourage anyone in this area who already has a Will to think about when they last looked at it. "If your life has changed significantly since it was written, your Will may need to change too. Will Aid is an opportunity to sit down with a professional solicitor, talk through your circumstances and make sure your wishes are properly recorded – while at the same time helping charities carrying out extraordinary work in the UK and around the world." Bookings for Will Aid 2026 are now available and can be arranged with a participating firm either face-to-face, where possible, or online. To locate a participating Will Aid solicitor and secure an appointment, or to find out more about Will Aid, head to willaid.org.uk.